Joint assembly for wall panels



Sept. 3, 1963 J. B. DUNNINGTON JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR WALL PANELS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. l2. 1960 SePt- 3, 1963 J. B. DUNNINGTON 3,102,612

JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR WALL PANELS F'iled Aug. 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IHM 11W 25 i r V,25 i .30 3g 22 4 22 29 M if' du I Il BYdL/mw United States Patent O 3,102,612 JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR WALL PANELS .lon B. Dunniugton, Leawood, Kans., assigner to Butler Manufacturing Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Aug. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 49,265 Claims. (Cl. MEQ- 34) This invention relates generally to the joining of modular panels to form `a continuous wall and refers more particularly rto an improved joint assembly for such panels.

One of the principal areas of difficulty in any prefabricated :building having outside walls made up of a plurality of panels placed in side-by-side coplanar relationship is the obtaining of a satisfactory seal between the edges of the adjoining panels. For obvious reasons the sealed joint must be attractive. It must also be cornpletely weatherproof and moreover, should be so designed as -to inhibit as much as possible the transfer of heat between the inside and outside walls. This is particularly impontant in buildings used in cold climates or in the winter in temperate climates. Unless steps are taken to insulate as much as possible the inside surface of the joints on the outside, the inside surface will become so cold as to cause condensation of moisture with attendant frosting or build-up of ice thereon. Obviously, too, the joint assembly should be capable of rapid installation and composed of as few parts as possible.

One of the main objectives of the present invention is to provide a sealing joint between modular wall panels which is completely weatherproof, yet which can be installed with a minimum of effort and requires no specialized tools. lt is a special feature of the invention that the tight weather seal .in the joint is obtained without requiring any perforation of or application of fasteners to the panels themselves, thus preserving the integrity of the panels and avoiding any damage thereto.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a joint cover and seal of the character described in which the inside and outside components are so tied together as -to inhibit, if not eliminate altogether, any conductance of heat between the inside and outside of the building to the joint. This feature is particularly advantageous in that it provides a frost or ice free joint and dsc one in which condensation of moisture on the inside joint components, even though no icing occurs, is avoided.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a joint cover and seal of the character described in which the assembly of the inside and outside cover strips for the joint is achieved without requiring penetration of those strips by screws or other fasteners.

Other and further objects of the invention together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of 'the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be read in conjunction with the specification and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views;

FIG. l is an elevational view of the outside of a portion of a typical wall incorporating the present invention, parts being broken away to indicate length and width;

FIG. 2 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. l in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of thev inside wall, showing the inside hatten strip for one of the joints, portions of the strip being broken away to reveal the structure thereunder;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but of a portion ll Patented Sept. 3, 1963 lCe of the outside wall showing the outside Ibatteri strip, portions of the latter being broken away to reveal the structure thereunder;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the joint, being taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the outside batten strip;

FIG. 7 is a perspective View of a typical connector member;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the batten clip; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside batten strip.

Referring to the drawings, in FIGS. l` and 2 there is shown a portion of a typical panel type wall 'm which the joints between adjacent panels are constructed in accordance with the present invention. The individual panels are indicated generally by reference numeral 10 and are of rectangular shape. Typically, each panel is constructed of a central core 10a which may be of the usual honeycomb structure or of suitable rigid thermal insulating material, faced on opposite sides with sheet metal skins 10b and 10c. All four edges of each panel have secured thereto and running lengthwise thereof a frame element in the form of an outwardly open channel, the upper and lower frame elements `11 :and 12 being seen in FIG. 2 and typical side frame elements 13` in FIG, 5. it will be understood that tre frame elements form an integral part of the panel, being connected thereto in any suitable fashion.

The panels are, as will be understood, mounted in coplanar relationship in any convenient way. For purposes of illustration, l have shown a base channel i4 set in and bolted to the foundation 15v of the building. The lower frame element 12 of the panel seats therein. The upper end of the panel is received in an .upper retainer structure 16 which forms a part of the structural framework of the building. Bolts such as 17 may be employed to secure the panels in place.

The particular panels shown and described herein have been selected solely for the purposes of illustrating the invention and consequently the invention hereinafter to be set forth is not to be construed as limited to application to the illustrated panels alone.

The panels are mounted in the building framework as yearlier described, with the edges of abutting panels slightly spaced to provide a narrow gap therebetween. A typical spacing may be seen in FIG. 5, the gap being between the respective outturned flanges `13a and i131; at the edges of the vertical panel frame elements i3.

The joint assembly according to the specific form of the invention shown comprises the outer hatten strip 18, inner batteri strip 19, connector member 20,. inside hatten clip and tie plate 21, tand thrust screw 22. 'llhese elements are individually shown, with the exception of screw 22, in FIGS. 6-9, inclusive.

The outer and inner hatten stnips 1S :and 19, respectively rare elongate memibers adapted to be superposed over the joint on the inside and outside of the wall to completely conceal same. Both are preferably extruded shapes, the material employed being any suitable building material, ttior example, aluminum'.

The outer batten :is of symmetrical cross section having the main web portion 23 connected by inwardly directed legs 24 to the lateral extensions 25 which terminate in reversely bent flanges 26 parallel with the web. A marginal portion of each flange 26 is :offset to provide a shoulder 26a parallel with and spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the ilange. It will be noted that the exterior surfaces of flanges 26 are adjacent the outside skin 10b of the adjoining panels, a strip of gasket material 27 beof the building the strip 28 is removed so as to expose the gasket material and permit contact between it and the panel. Alternatively, any preformed sealing compound can lbe applied to the batteri in the field lbefore the batten is pushed into place.

It will be observed that each connector member approximates the shape of a T, having the laterally extend ing arms 29, Bill which `are individually joined to slightly diverging members 31, 32 which form the stern of the T. The connector member is formed from a single piece of good quality metal, preferably steel. The members 31, 32 lare joined by a bight portion in which is centered lan aperture 33 :for threadedly receiving the thrust screw 22 during assembly las will later be described.

rl`he arms -or lateral extensions 29, 30 of the connector member ext-end from the respective members 31, 32 at something less than a 90 langle, for example, approximately 75. The distal ends are provided with curved lips 29a, 30a, which in lthe assembled condition (FIG. 5) engage against the respective shoulders 26a fon the spaced flanges 26 of the outside |batten. As is evident, the stem portion formed by the members 31, 32 extends through the gap between panels toward the inside Iface, terminating short of the plane of the inside face.

It may be helpful to note at this point that in installing the joint assemby the connector members 20 rare inserted at intervals into coupling arrangement with the outside ibatten `strip `1S prior to bring the batteri strip into prosition over the joint. To do this the members 31, 32 of the connector are squeezed together as between thumb and tforenger and the connector manipulated into a position where, when the squeezing pressure is released, the lips 29a 'and 36a will spread apart and engage the respective -shoulders 26a. To assist in guiding the lips into contact with the shoulders, the corners formed between legs 24 and extensions 25 on the batten strip are designed to maintain the edges of the lips 29a, 30u in engagement with the faces `of flanges 26 by engaging the confronting surfaces of the larme 29, 30 when the squeezing pressure is released, The relative position of the arms 29, 30 in the ybatteri at this time is shown in broken lines at 2.9', 30', of FIG. 5.

In constructing the connector member 20, the lips 29a, 30a are spaced apart a slightly greater distance than the distance between the shoulders 26a on the opposite sides of the batteri so that in order t'o position the connector in the batten it is necessary to squeeze the members 31 and 32 toward one another. As a result, when the lips are in position in the hatten in engagement with shoulders 26a, the connector is in ia stressed condition, This llas the effect of stabilizing the connector member in the batten strip with the stem pointing outwardly so that when the batten is 1 rought into position over the joint, the stem of the connector member will project through the gap between the panels.

Once the outside hatten 12S is in position rover the joint with the stern of the connector the space between the joints, the combined tie plate and clip 21 lior each connector is installed. This is accomplished simply by placing the clip across the gap with the aperture l*21a therein lasligned with the aperture 33 of the connector and inserting the screw 22. therethrough to leng-age it with the aperture 33 in the connector. The screw is then tightened, drawing the stem orf the connector toward the tie clip'.

As the thrust on the stem is increased, the lips 29a yand 30a on the connectorvmember more firmly press against the flanges 26 or" the outside batten, thus compressing them firmly against the gasket material 27. It will be noted that the shoulders 26a. are so located with respect to the gasket material as to cause the pressure to 'be l applied near :the outside of the gasket strip, thus providing a tight and effective seal vagainst intrusion into the joint structure olf water or water vapor.

It will be noted that the spacing of the member 31 yand 32 which form the stem of the connector is such that when the connector has 4been drawn into the final condition by screw 22, portions 3i yand 32 are spaced from `and nowhere in Contact with the components of the panels. Thus the only metal to metal contact occuring is at the lips 29a and 39a. Since the area of engagement is quite small, the amount of heat that can tbe transmitted from the outside of the panel to the inside through the connector member is infinitesimal.

In order to further inhibit conductance of heat through the components of the joint itself, the screw22 `can be composed of 1a thermal insulating material such as nylon or other plastic. Y

As will tbe evident, the tie plate and clip 21 provides the support for the thrust screw 22 on the inside of the wall structure. It also serves the additional purpose of pro viding a mounting or retention for the inner bat-ten strip 19.

The inner betten strip 19, like the outer strip 1S, runs the length of and covers the gap between the panels. It is olf symmetrical cross section, having the web portion 34 joined by legs 3S to flanges 36. The faces of the llanges which confront the panel have 'adhered thereto strips 37 of gasket material which are adapted to contact the panel. The strips may be positioned on flanges 36 by shoulders 36a. The thickness of the gasket material is such that it will prevent metal to met-al contact between the Ihatten strip 19 `and the metal components of the panel.

As is again best seen in FIG. 5, the combined tie plate and clip 291 is provided at its opposed edges with reversely bent flange portions 2lb. These cooperate with bevelled extensions 39 formed on the batteri 19 to retain the batten in place. To install the inner batten strip on the joint it is lrst initially positioned in alignment with the joint with the tips of the bevelled portions 39 bearing against the outcurved portion of the curved flanges 2lb of the clip members. The batten is then pressed inwardly. The exibility and resiliency of the web 34 of the batten, or of the curved anges 2lb of the clips, or both, is suiicient to permit the temporary spreading of the bevelled portions 39 as the batten is pressed inwardly to move past the outermost edges of the curved flanges 2lb and return to the locked position illustrated in FIG. 5. In other words, the inside batten strip 19 is snapped on the clips 21 and is retained in position on the panel structure thereby.

The number of connector members 20 that will be used in any continuous joint will depend on the length of the joint. Preferably they are spaced at intervals of two feet.

Prom the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a covering and sealing assembly for concealing and sealing the gap between a pair of coplanar, edge adjoining wall panels, the combination of an outside cover member running lengthwise of the gap on one side of the panels and having a longitudinal cavity overlying and in communication with the gap, said cover member further provided with portions abutting the respective panels and presenting spaced surfaces within the cavity on opposite sides of the gap substantially parallel with the planes of the panels, a connector member having a central stem extending normal to the plane of the panels and positioned in the gap and oppositely extending resilient arms at one end of the stem and in said cavity, said arms having their distal ends in engagement with said spaced surfaces of the outside cover member, said spaced surfaces provided with shoulders which also engage said distal ends to prevent relative movement of said ends away from one another, and means associated with said connector member and operable to apply a thrust force to said stem tending to pull same through the gap toward the other side of said panels whereby to cause said distal ends or the arms to tightly compress said cover member surfaces toward the faces of said panels.

2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said stem comprises a pair of resiliently connected -spaced portions, the arms extending respectively from said portions.

3, In a covering and sealing assembly for concealing and sealing the gap between a pair of panels mounted in coplanar relationship, the combination of a hatten strip bridging and extending lengthwise of the gap on one side of the panels, said hatten strip including a pair of surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said gap and facing away from the panels, the strip being formed to provide an opening outwardly of said surfaces and communicating with :said gap, the connectormember including a pair of oppositely extending arms having distal ends disposed in said opening in engagement with said surfaces, stop means engaging said distal ends to prevent displacement thereof away from each other in a direction parallel to the plane of the panels, and means operable through :said gap for drawing the other ends of said arms in a direction to lirmly engage said distal ends against said surfaces and stop means whereby to put said arms in longitudinal compression and compress said strip against the panels.

4. In a covering and sealing assembly for concealing and sealing the gap between a pair of coplanar, edge adjoining wall panels, the combination ot an outside cover member running lengthwise of the gap and having a longitudinal cavity overlying and in communication with the gap, said cover member further provided with portions abutting the respective panels and providing spaced bearing surfaces within the cavity on opposite sides of-the gap, a connector member having a central stern portion extending normal to the plane of the panels and positioned in the gap with one end inside said cavity, said connector member further including a pair of oppositely disposed arm members resiliently connected with said one end of said stern portion and extending toward said hearing surfaces, said arms respectively having their distal ends in engagement with said bearing surfaces, stop means cooperating with said bearing surfaces and distal ends and operable to prevent said ends from moving further apart from one another, and means associated with the other end of said stem portion of said connector member and operable to apply a thrust force to said stem portion tending to pull same through the gap toward the other side of the panels whereby to flex said arm members and cause said distal ends to tightly compress said cover member surfaces toward the faces of said panels.

5. The combination as in claim 4 wherein said stem portion comprises a pair of members space-d from each other and resiliently connected with each other at said other end and having said arm members extending respectively from the unconnected ends.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,157,189 Schlesinger May 9, 1939 2,317,634 Olsen Apr. 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 790,903 `Great Britain Feb. 19, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Twerenbold, German application No. 1,011,138, printed June 27, 1957` (KL 376,8/01). 

1. IN A COVERING AND SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR CONCEALING AND SEALING THE GAP BETWEEN A PAIR OF COPLANAR, EDGE ADJOINING WALL PANELS, THE COMBINATION OF AN OUTSIDE COVER MEMBER RUNNING LENGTHWISE OF THE GAP ON ONE SIDE OF THE PANELS AND HAVING A LONGITUDINAL CAVITY OVERLYING AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE GAP, SAID COVER MEMBER FURTHER PROVIDED WITH PORTIONS ABUTTING THE RESPECTIVE PANELS AND PRESENTING SPACED SURFACES WITHIN THE CAVITY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE GAP SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH THE PLANES OF THE PANELS, A CONNECTOR MEMBER HAVING A CENTRAL STEM EXTENDING NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF THE PANELS AND POSITIONED IN THE GAP AND OPPOSITELY EXTENDING RESILIENT ARMS AT ONE END OF THE STEM AND IN SAID CAVITY, SAID ARMS HAVING THEIR DISTAL ENDS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SPACED SURFACES OF THE OUTSIDE COVER MEMBER, SAID SPACED SURFACES PROVIDED WITH SHOULDERS WHICH ALSO ENGAGE SAID DISTAL ENDS TO PREVENT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID ENDS AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER, AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CONNECTOR MEMBER AND OPERABLE TO APPLY A THRUST FORCE TO SAID STEM TENDING TO PULL SAME THROUGH THE GAP TOWARD THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PANELS WHEREBY TO CAUSE SAID DISTAL ENDS OF THE ARMS TO TIGHTLY COMPRESS SAID COVER MEMBER SURFACES TOWARD THE FACES OF SAID PANELS. 